District Tourism

Bagalkot: Bagalkot was earlier known as Bagadige.
Bidar: Bidar district is located in the north-eastern corner of Karnataka.
Bijapur: presents a tourist the variety of medieval monuments, which represents Islamic architecture in India.

Belgaum: Belgaum is located in northwestern parts of Karnataka.

Gulbarga: Gulbarga situated in the northern part of Karnataka State.
Bellary: Bellary city, is spread mainly around two huge rocky granite hills, the Ballari Gudda and Kumbara Gudda.

Chitradurga: Chitradurga is located in the heart of the Deccan Plateau; Chitradurga is recognized as the land of courage and chivalry.

Davangere: Davangere is an important commercial, industrial and educational centre.

Dharwad: Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, has a history of more than 900 years.

Gadag: Gadag District was formed in 1997. Gadag is famous for printing press and handloom.

Haveri: Haveri is famous for its cardamom and Byadagi red chillies.
Koppal: Koppal district was separated from Raichur district.

Raichur: Raichur district is ensconced between the Krishna on the North and the Tungabhadra on the South.

Shimoga: Shimoga is an important tourist destination, industrial, commercial, fine arts and educational centre.

Chikmagalur: Chikmagalur is situated in south western part of Karnataka.

Dakshina Kannada: Dakshina Kannada is a coastal district in Karnataka state and it was known as South Canara.

Udupi: Udupi district is located in the coastal region of Western Ghats about 60 km from Mangalore.

Uttara Kannada: Uttara Kannada is one of the major tourist districts in the state.

Bangalore: Bangalore (officially Bengalooru) is the capital of Karnataka state.

Chamarajanagar: Chamarajanagar district was bifurcated from Mysore district.

Chikkaballapur: Chikkaballapura district is a newly created district of Karnataka in 2007.

Kodagu: Kodagu is also called by the anglicized name of Coorg.

Kolar: Kolar district is the eastern gateway to Karnataka. Kolar has become popularly known as the "Golden Land" of India.

Hassan: Hassan district is also known for its salubrious climate.

Mandya: Mandya district derives its name from its Administrative headquarters town.

Mysore: Mysore is also called as city of Palaces. Mysore district is a famous tourist spot.
Ramanagara: Ramanagara is situated in a valley surrounded by rocky hillocks on Bangalore - Mysore Highway.

Tumkur: Tumkur town is located at a distance of 70 km from Bangalore.

Tourist Map of Karnatka

Karnataka with its capital at Bangalore is the country's 8 th largest state. It is located at Deccan Plateau , and is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north, Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Kerala to the southwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east and Tamil Nadu to southeast.


Karnataka is popularly known for Carnatic Music through out the world but it has given much more to the world than this unique form of Classical Music. With its rich culture and traditional magnificence, it has attracted tourists from all parts of the world. It is among the world's most ancient civilizations and is home to two of the World Heritage Sites – Hampi and Pattadakal . The temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal in Bijapur district are a must visit for all art lovers. The temples of Halebedu, Belur and Somanathapura are great and unique architectural achievements. Some other famous tourist spots in Karnataka include Jog Falls, Shivasamudra Falls, Abbi Falls, The Irrupu falls, Manikyandhara, Kallatti Falls and Chunchanakatte Falls.


The Hill Forts of Karnataka such as Nandi Hill, Savanadurga, Madhugiri, Pavagada, Midigeshi, Ucchangi, Jamalabad, Manzarabad, Kavaledurga, Chitradurga , Basavaraja Durga, Devagad, Kurmagad, Shahapur, Shorapur, Nargund fort, Parasgad and Vallabhgad forts are also very popular with tourists.

Places of Interest in Karnataka

Tipu Sultan Tomb, Karnataka Travel GuideKarnataka popularly known for Carnatic Music through out the World has given much more to the World than Carnatic Music, a unique form of Classical Music patroned by many across the continents. Karnataka with all its Richness in Culture and Traditional Grandeur is also one of the fastest growing States in terms of Industries and Facilities. Karnataka is also known as the Capital of Agarbathi (Incense Sticks), Arecanut, Silk, Coffee and Sandal Wood. All this is apart from the fact that it has been the Culture Center for hundreds of years and its testimony stands spread across the State pulling millions of Tourists from all parts of the World to Karnataka. Whose richness and hospitality can only be felt and never explained better.

The state offers every kind of travel attraction and holds appeal to a diverse array of tourists. It is among the world’s most ancient civilisations and is home to two World Heritage Sites – Hampi and Pattadakal. In terms of natural attractions, 22 percent of the state’s land area is made up of forests; Karnataka is home to Jog Falls - Asia’s highest waterfall.



In addition, Karnataka boasts of a 320km unspoilt coastline as well as several breathtaking hill stations that are ideal for ecotourism projects. For adventure lovers, Karnataka offers white-water rafting possibilities, not possible elsewhere in India, other than in the Himalayan region. Colourful art forms, indigenous crafts and a rich cultural legacy add further sheen to Karnataka’s diverse tourism potential.

History of Karnataka

Hoysaleshwara Temple, Karnataka Travel AgentsKarnataka, called as Karunadu (elevated land) in ancient times. The course of Karnataka's history and culture takes us back to pre-historic times. The earliest find of the stone age period in India was a hand axe at Lingasugur in Raichur district. The Ashoka's rock edicts found in the state indicate that major parts of Northern Karnataka were under the Mauryas. Chandragupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor abdicated the throne and embraced Jainism at Shravanabelagola. Adding new dimensions to the cultural and spiritual ethos of the land, many great dynasties left their imprint upon the aesthetic development of Karnataka's art forms. Prominent among them were the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The Chalukyan's built some of the very early Hindu temples in India. Aihole turned up as an experimental base for the dynamic creations of architects. The Hoysala's who ruled from the 11th to the 13th century chiseled their way into the pages of glory by building more than 150 temples, each one is a master piece in its own way. The amazing dexterity and fluidity of expressions at Somnathpur, Halebid and Belur open themselves to the wide eyed wonder in one's eyes. Vijayanagara, the greatest of all medieval Hindu empires and one of the greatest the world over, fostered the development of intellectual pursuits and fine arts. "The eye of the pupil has never seen a place like it and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world" is what Abdur Razaaq the Persian ambassador had to say about Krishnadevaraya's time.




Tipu Sultan Tomb, Karnataka Travel AgentsThe Vijayanagara empire with its capital at Hampi fell a victim to the marauding army of the Deccan Sultan in 1565 A.D. As a consequence of this, Bijapur became the most important city of the region. This city is a land of monuments and perhaps no other city except Delhi has as many monuments as Bijapur. The Bahmani Shahis and the Adilshahis of Bijapur have played a notable part in the history of Karnataka by their contribution to the field of art and architecture and also by their propagation of Islam in the state.

Hyder Ali and his valiant son Tipu Sultan are notable figures in the history of the land. They expanded the Mysore kingdom on an unprecedented scale and by their resistance against the British, became personages of world fame. Tipu was a great scholar and lover of literature. His artistic pursuits were also many and he made rich gifts to the Hindu temples. Tipu Sultan "Tiger of Karnataka" was killed in 1799 A.D., and the Mysore throne was handed over to the Wodeyar's. The whole of Karnataka came under the control of the British in the beginning of the 19th century. The new state was named as new Mysore and the Maharaja of Mysore was appointed Governor by Independent India. This unified state was renamed as Karnataka on November 1, 1973.